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Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Hello lovelies! I've seen a few blog posts floating around about the Travel Supermarket "Worldwide Wardrobe" challenge and I knew I wanted to enter! If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know I love a good challenge. You can find more information about the challenge HERE! If you're unaware of the challenge all you need to do is create a look for either destination (New York, London, Paris, Ibiza or Thailand) under £200 and email you're entry to worldwidewardrobe@travelsupermarket.com. Each category will be judged by a lovely blogger - London by Lily @ LLYMRS, New York by Lexi @ FashionFilth, Ibiza by Emma @ Milkteef, Paris by Ella @ ella-lapetiteanglaise and finally Thailand by Lily @ What I Heart Today.

I tried to combine my own style with styles I've seen around recently. I've never traveled far other than France when I was around 13 but I'd love to travel more, New York, Paris and London are definitely a must! Here are my entries -

I based the outfit around some of my favourites pieces I've seen around in the past couple of weeks, printed trousers are everywhere! I adore them but colours scare me so Black and White was perfect, I paired them with a gorgeous Zara shirt, which I love the bib detail on. I wanted to keep the outfit smart/casual with Gold accessories, New Look's are great at the moment! My favourite item is the Zara Basic Messenger bag, which I've been lusting after for weeks. I much prefer it over a clutch as it has a strap but the strap can come off if you wanted to hold it. I adore that the bag closes by rolling up, very unique. I think the outfit is perfect for cocktails as it's not too dressy but it works really well, perfect for New York.

I wanted to keep this outfit pretty casual, jeans and a shirt are pretty much a staple for me and I love the neon accent on the shirt. I wasn't sure if neon nails were too much but then I thought what the hell, the more the merrier! I wasn't sure what shoes to add until I saw a pair nude Melissa's by Queen V, I thought they'd be perfect for a long day of shopping and the Gold accents on the front would set off any outfit. A huge bag is essential for shopping and the Zara city bag fits the bill great. I'm not really a fan of accessories other than a statement watch, I also wanted to keep the make-up quite muted. I'd wear a simple face of foundation with blush, mascara and nude lips.

I wanted to keep this outfit quite comfortable as I'm guessing Paris is always busy and what's more comfortable than a midi and converse (the jacket is purely because I'm always cold!) I tried on a midi recently and fell in love but I thought it looked quite plain, which is why I chose such a statement necklace and a red satchel. The satchel is also perfect for all the things I'd end up carrying around i.e camera, phone, e-reader etc. Sunglasses are a must for me because sun gives me the WORST headaches and I think they complete the outfit perfectly too.

I want to keep this outfit really fun so I knew straightway I wanted something Red! Red is definitely my favourite colour and to me, it just says FUN! I adore the top, to be honest I think I'd be scared to wear a crop top really but I love that it covers the stomach with the fringe, the shorts will help too! The rest of the outfit I wanted to keep pretty simple as I think the top is striking enough, I chose Black and Gold as they're very classic colours and match anything. My favourite part of the whole outfit has to be the moon ring from Dixi, how adorable and it pretty perfect for a full moon party!

Hello lovelies! Just a quick wishlist from me today as I'm attending my first Christening :) I may do an outfit post on what I wore if we take some pictures. The items are just the usual things I've been lusting after. I want nothing more though than the Zara bag in my life! I particularly like the two tone Red and Pink version, which is pretty weird for a girl who lives in Black.

My usual fortnightly instagram diaries post shall be up once I'm back as I'll probably take some pictures in the day.

Saturday, 27 April 2013

Hello lovelies! Moneysupermarket are holding another little challenge for us blogger, it's pretty simple as you need to do is list 30 different ways to save £1. Find more information HERE! I was quite excited about doing this challenge as being unemployed and my boyfriend being a student money can be quite tight sometimes but here are my tips....

1. Always look for discount codes online, I rarely buy something online without looking for a discount code. It could save you 10% or even 20%!

2. If you want to go the cinema, go on Wednesday. Being on Orange (or EE) can really have its perks, they offer a 2 for 1 for any customers, it could save you a fortune!

3. Another Cinema tip, invest in an unlimited cinema card. They're £15.90 a month but you can see as many movies as you like, definitely worth it if you're a movies lover!

4. Sell and shop on eBay, always a winner. If you're wanting a crop top, instead of paying £10 in Topshop search eBay and you could find it for a more than half the price.

5. If you use MAC or LUSH products save old empties, they offer a trade in service. MAC is six empties (more information HERE) for a free lipstick, saving you £14 and LUSH is five full sized pots for a free face mask of your choice saving you £5.95 (75g).

6. Use loyalty cards wherever you can! Most places have them Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, Sainsburys, Starbucks - you name it! Points make prizes and in some cases free drinks or food.

7. Save all your coppers in a jar, it all adds up and you'll be glad you saved them someday.

8. Enter giveaways! I enter lots and I've won some amazing prizes, saving me quite a bit of money.

9. If you're a student, don't be afraid to ask for discount in stores it could save you atleast 10% and most stores offer it.

10. Look for deals wherever you can, Eg 2 for 1, 3 for 2, buy one get one free - they could all save you serious money!

11. If you're going somewhere not too far, walk! Catching a bus may be quicker but you'll be saving lots in the long run!

12. Groupon and other discount websites are always great.

13. Get your hair cut at local colleges, I'm not sure on prices in colleges but they're going to be much cheaper than in a salon!

14. Have an old mobile sitting around the house? Trade it in online or in places like CEX, you could earn between to £10 to over £100.

15. If you're ordering online, check if you can collect in store. They're usually either free or cheaper than standard delivery.

16. If you're under 25 and travel a lot, get a young persons railcard. Prices are ever on the increase and a railcard will save you 1/3 of on journeys.

17. If you're on O2 sign up to O2 priority moments, lots of great deals to be had!

18. Be crafty, craft blogs are great to follow and most DIY's are very pretty simple and cheap.

19. Shop in charity shops.

20. Go to car boot sales and bargain!

21. Look in the bargain section in supermarkets, going later on in the day could also be a bonus. Also stock up on foods you eat regularly and freeze them.

22. Look for recipes online instead of buying a book, it will save you money as well as space in your home.

23. On a family day out - take a picnic with you!

24. Use shops on the high street like poundland, 99p store, poundworld. You could find your most loved beauty items (or great dupes!) for a fraction of the price.

25. Squeeze every last drop from your toothpaste, shampoo (and conditioner), moisturiser, foundations, the list is endless. Also cut the end of any tube you can, there could always be more in the bottom!

26. Takeaways cost a fortune! Ditch the pizza/Chinese/Indian and make your own. It can be lots of fun.

27. Make wishlists! Something I do often (every week in fact) write down all the things you want in a month and instead of buying them all just treat yourself to one, preferably the cheapest.

28. Dye your own hair! I've never had my hair dyed in a salon and it saved me a hell of a lot, I usually buy my hair dye when they're on offer, often they're 2 for £6 or something similar.

29. Have a night in with your friends - much cheaper and probably way more fun!

30. My final tip, is a pretty simple one, do you really need it?

I hope you've liked my tips, you can also enter yourself! All information is linked above.

Use like you would a hair conditioner. Smooth on over wet body after bathing or showering, rinse off and lightly towel yourself dry."

I used the body conditioner after washing with It's Raining Men, as the women in LUSH advised my boyfriend when he bought me the box for Valentines day and it left my skin feeling amazing! I don't think my body has ever felt so soft, my skin felt soft for so long after using it too. The conditioner also left my skins smelling beautiful, it smelt like a mix of Honey and the ingredients in the conditioner. I can't sum up what they smell like but it's a very pretty scent.

I would definitely purchase the 225g tub for £15.50 as I think it's worth the money, I suffer from dry skin sometimes and it really helps that as it has no harsh ingredients.

I hope you're enjoying my LUSH reviews, I'll be reviewing Soft Coeur Massage bar and also Willow Pattern soap which are also available in the Be Mine box.

Please excuse the quality of the pictures, I decided to take them when the lighting wasn't great and it's the first time I've used my boyfriends camera. I'll get better some day.

Sunday, 21 April 2013

Hello lovelies! I thought I'd do a different kind of wishlist this week and show you all my most wanted for the home. I could spend hours fantasising about what my home is going to look and I cannot wait to get my own place with Ben, he finishes uni in June which means we'll both be going back home as we both don't have jobs or the money to live on our own yet. I highly doubt that we'll be living together anytime soon but a girl can dream, right?

The wishlist is pretty mismatched but that's how I imagine my place being, although I really like Blue and would love to use that colour a lot. My favourite item has to be the globe light, pretty cool huh?! I found it through the lovely Victoria from vipxo.co.uk and I think it would perfect in the bedroom, along with lots of White furniture.

Wednesday, 17 April 2013

Hello lovelies! I thought I'd share what my boyfriend and I got upto on Monday, the weather was beautiful so we headed into town then off to graves park to see the animals. I intended on taking some outfit pictures but I was feeling poorly, so here's some cute pictures of the animals instead.

I have a few more pictures on my instagram, which you find HERE! All pictures above taken by my boyfriend, Ben.

I hope you're all making the most the glorious weather we're having! I have a little LUSH review for you all coming soon.

Hello sweethearts! Happy Sunday, how are you all feeling? I'm so glad to be back blogging after a week of being horribly ill with a cough and cold but I'm feeling much better now (although I still have this damn cough!) Being ill did have perks though, I watched so much The Walking Dead, it's unreal. How good is that show?! I cannot wait for the next season, anyhow enough about TV. Let's talk about my wishlist, I spent so much time checking the internet while I was ill too and I found some great items. I love the design on the dress, it's so simple but very pretty. I'm in dire need so many tee's too, all I seem to wear with my beloved Disco pants is shirts and I'd love to dress a little more casual every once in a while, my boyfriend actually found the Pug shirt and it's so adorable! I cannot got enough of the bag, I'm loving transparent bags at the moment. I've seen them everywhere but this New Look one is my favourite, the size looks just right for everyday use.

How are you all spending your Sunday? I hear the weather is going to be lovely!

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

Hello beauties! A couple of weeks ago I won the beautiful Danielle from A blog from Blackpool's second blog birthday giveaway, I was so happy! I adore LUSH and I hadn't tried anything that she was giving away.

I was pretty lucky winning things I hadn't tried before. The Gorilla samples smell lovely, they're a little strong but they smell nice none the less and I really liked the smell of the lip balm, I just found it quite sticky. I'm yet to try the eye liner but I can't wait to try it!

I'll be holding my very own LUSH giveaway at the end of June for my little blogs first birthday! What would like to see being given away?

A huge thank-you to Danielle for holding the giveaway, so generous of her!

Welcome to Velvet-Tidesxo! It's a place for fashion, lifestyle and the occasional extra by a twenty-two year old from Sheffield. Who blogs about things she does, things she likes and things she desperately wants.

Feel free to leave a comment and have fun looking around!

All items marked with an asterix (*) or c/o are samples, gifts or bought with credit. All opinions/ content are my own, unless stated otherwise. You can find more about me here and contact me here!